Nokia delayed first WP7 device? Not quite

We're all hyped and excited about the upcoming Microkia partnership taking full swing and seeing Nokia CEO Steve Elop pleading with the audience at a preview demonstration of 'Sea Ray' to not release material to the media (we still haven't posted anything about it, Steve - we promise), it got our taste buds tingling at the sight of a Nokia WP7 handset.

However, it seems there's some slight confusion with Nokia and their release dates. To cut a long story short, Nokia have never led us to believe they would begin shipping numbers this year. 2012 was always the given date. The fall of 2011 (when Mango is being rolled out) was only ever a possibility for us to see a single Nokia handset available, which Steve explained in a video a few months back. So today, when they tweeted

"The first volume shipments for Nokia phone with Windows Phone OS are expected that start early next year."

...well, that's the same story they've been telling, no news there. Nokia's WP7 portfolio is to be in full swing next year, but as Steve mentions in the video linked above, the pressure is on not only the company, but also himself to push a device out this year at least. In an interview with Forbes, Jo Harlow, head of Smart Devices at Nokia, mentioned that they were indeed ahead of scheduele but no promise was evidentially made.

Who are we kidding anyway? This is only July, early July at that. We've just entered the summer holidays and have a good number of months to go until Mango along with the fall of 2011. Let's just see what Nokia has to say closer to the date for more accurate detail.

Could their first device come this year? Possibly, but don't be disappointed if it arrives early 2012. It's still going to be one incredible ride and Nokia know they need to hit the nail on the head to survive.

We hope that clears up a few things as we wouldn't want you all to get the wrong idea about anything, would we?

Reader comments

Nokia delayed first WP7 device? Not quite

Ok, so we the public has NO idea when we will see a Nokia WP7 device, it's our own fever that keeps saying they are coming with Mango's release. But it's the bloggers and public that have put those dates on Nokia devices. Just get them out already. :)Now, on a related topic.... Anyone else want to get a look at Microsoft's calendar? Think about it, last year with the release of WP7 they were saying, specifically I might add, "In time for the Holidays". Now, skip forward to now, this time is "In the fall". Now, MS is very careful on the wording of everything, so can this tell us anything about Mango's release? I know that it might be splitting hairs, but these wording differences seem intentional to me.

Any devices from Nokia prior to the Holidays just means that the union between these two is going smoother than they expected. 2012 will still be the best time to grab a device. Let the first generation work out the bugs. Nokia/W7 will support each other like their lives depended on it. In the case of Nokia, it kinda does.I would be surprised if any Mango devices come out prior to Nokia being able to release one. HTC has been a great partner and desearves as much love as Mocrosoft can give it, but the future of Windows phones worldwide is in the hands of Nokia.By the way- @Gmotagi, did you say Finland closes down for MONTHS in the Summer? Was that sarcasm??? If not, are they hiring????

In the fall....coming soon... maybe this year.... MS. as the saying goes JUST DO IT.. roll it out get the OS on equal grounds people will not buy into WP7 with coming soon. they want the now just like they can get with any android device or iphone device. in fact that want more than just as good and it should have been like that from the get go.. Oh wait ring-tones coming soon. sigh.